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A Look Back At: 2009

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The Rabbitohs’ official website, www.rabbitohs.com.au, will be taking a look back at the past decade to see the growth of the Club over the past ten years.

After a disappointing 2008 season, the South Sydney Rabbitohs found themselves trying to regain form and propel themselves back into finals contention in 2009.

The Club bolstered their playing stocks with the recruitment of veterans Michael Crocker and Rhys Wesser for the 2009 season.

The Rabbitohs impressed at stages throughout the season – finding themselves at the top of the ladder at stages – but once again inconsistency plagued the side and hampered their chances to progress past the regular season period.

Once again, the Rabbitohs attack was impressive as the Red and Greens posted 566 points throughout the year, marking the first time that South Sydney has scored over 500 points in a season. This feat was heavily influenced by local products, John Sutton and Nathan Merritt who provided 27 try assists – the most in the competition – and 19 tries respectively.

Despite a number of solid showings and positive signs, the Rabbitohs would have to wait for a finals berth, as the side finished one victory outside of the top eight.

Football:

Ladder position:

10th

Wins:

11

Draws:

1

Losses:

12

Points for:

566

Points against:

549

Head Coach:

Jason Taylor

Captains:

Roy Asotasi and Luke Stuart

Wins over:

Team

Round

Score

Roosters

Round 1

52-12

Knights

Round 3

22-12

Warriors

Round 4

22-16

Sharks

Round 7

32-26

Tigers

Round 10

23-22

Panthers

Round 18

36-12

Broncos

Round 19

44-12

Roosters

Round 20

40-20

Sea Eagles

Round 22

36-22

Dragons

Round 25

41-6

Sharks

Round 26

26-24

Most games:

Colin Best (24)

Isaac Luke (24)

Eddy Pettybourne (24)

Luke Stuart (24)

Nathan Meritt (23)

Chris Sandow (23)

Most points:

Chris Sandow (133)

Nathan Merritt (77)

Fetuli Talanoa (48)

Isaac Luke (46)

Most tries:

Nathan Merritt (19)

Fetuli Talanoa (12)

Beau Champion (11)

Most goals:

Chris Sandow (60)

Isaac Luke (15)

Most average tackles:

Luke Stuart (30.4 per game)

David Fa’alogo (27.7 per game)

Most average metres:

Roy Asotasi (116 per game)

Luke Capewell (112 per game)

Top Try Assists:

John Sutton (27)

Chris Sandow (14)

Award winners:

George Piggins Medal – John Sutton

Jack Rayner Players’ Player Award – Luke Stuart

John Sattler Rookie of the Year Award – David Tyrrell

Supporters’ Choice Award – Nathan Merritt

Bob McCarthy Clubman of the Year Award – Scott Geddes

The Burrow Player of the Year Award – Nathan Merritt

News:

February:

South Sydney and the Wests Tigers play in the inaugural ‘Return to Redfern’ fixture in front of a sold out crowd of 5,000 people. The Tigers claim a 30-26 victory over the Rabbitohs at their spiritual home.

March:

In the opening round of the season, Souths claim an emphatic 52-12 victory over their cross town rivals, the Sydney Roosters. Local junior, Nathan Merritt continues his prolific try scoring record, crossing for a hat trick against the old foe.

May:

Nathan Merritt clinches victory for his side in the dying moments of their clash against the Wests Tigers in Heritage Round at the SCG in Round 10. After some desperate football, Merritt becomes the unlikely field goal hero, slotting the extra point from a tight angle out wide.

August:

The Rabbitohs defeat minor premiers, the St George Illawarra Dragons 41-6 in Round 25 at ANZ Stadium. This victory is followed up by a hard fought 26-24 win over the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, finishing the season in a strong fashion and signalling the side’s intentions heading into the 2010 season.